Portable fluid-transporting system

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns embodiments of a portable fluid-transporting system for mounting on a land-driven vehicle, such as a loader, and methods for their use. In an illustrated embodiment, a fluid-transporting device includes at least one fluid container, or tank, that is mountable to and completely removable from a vehicle. The container is configured to be carried by the vehicle such that at least a portion of the container is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the container is generally U-shaped and includes a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions extending from respective ends of the forward-container portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/448,330, filed Feb. 18, 2003, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/399,941, filed Jul. 30, 2002. The present applicationis also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/052,859,filed Jan. 17, 2002. application Ser. Nos. 60/448,330, 60/399,941, and10/052,859 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention concerns embodiments of a portablefluid-transporting system for mounting on a land-driven vehicle, such asa loader.

BACKGROUND

Water tank trucks are used in various aspects of construction, such asfor storing, conveying, or distributing water. In a specific example,such trucks are commonly used for spraying water on a dirt surface tominimize dust creation. The high cost of water tank trucks, however, canbe prohibitive, especially for small-scale contractors. Mostcontractors, however, typically have in their possession some type ofvehicle for hauling construction materials, such as a dump truck, apick-up truck, or a skid-steer loader. Accordingly, as an alternative toconventional water tank trucks, apparatuses have been devised forenabling the load compartment of a vehicle, typically used for haulingsolid materials, to convey and distribute water.

One such apparatus is shown U.S. Pat. No. 3,393,835 to Kantor et al.This patent discloses a flexible container that is shaped to complementthe interior space of the load compartment of a dump truck. As anotherexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,019 to Landefeld discloses a removable tankassembly that is sized to fit the bed of a dump truck.

Despite such inventions, there exists a continuing need for new andimproved apparatuses for transporting liquids using land-drivenvehicles.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, the present invention provides new and improvedtanks for containing water or other fluids, which tanks are mountable toa vehicle and are quickly and easily removed therefrom to permit thevehicle to be used for other purposes. According to one representativeembodiment, a fluid-transporting device for a land-driven vehicleincludes at least one container, or tank, for holding a fluid. Thecontainer has a mounting member configured to mount the container to thevehicle and to allow the container to be completely removed from thevehicle. The fluid-transporting device is configured to be carried bythe vehicle such that at least a portion of the container is supportedin front of the forward end of the vehicle. Although the capacity of thecontainer can vary, the container desirably has a fluid capacity of atleast about 400 gallons. In certain embodiments, the vehicle is aloader, (e.g., a skid-steer loader), which is particularly suitable foruse in traveling over unpaved and rough surfaces, although other typesof vehicles can also be used.

In particular embodiments, the container is generally U-shaped andincludes a forward-container portion and first and second side-containerportions positioned rearward of the forward-container portion. Thus,when the container is mounted on the vehicle, the forward-containerportion is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle and theside-container portions are supported adjacent respective sides of thevehicle.

In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second side-containerportions are integral with the forward-container portion. In anotherillustrated embodiment, the first and second side-container portions andthe forward-container portions each comprise a separate container. Inthe latter embodiment, the side-container portions can be fluidlyconnected to the forward-container portion by respective fluid conduits.

The fluid-transporting device can further include a pump and a dischargeconduit fluidly connectable to the pump for discharging fluid throughone or more fluid outlets. Various spray nozzles or other types offluid-distributing equipment can be connected to one or more of thefluid outlets to distribute the fluid in a desired manner. In oneimplementation, a fire hose connected to one of the fluid outlets isused to extinguish or control the spread of a fire with water containedin the container. In another implementation, water is sprayed from anelectric water monitor, such as used in fire control, connected to oneof the fluid outlets.

According to another representative embodiment, an apparatus fortransporting liquid on a land-driven vehicle includes a tank that ismountable to the vehicle. The tank is generally U-shaped and has a firstcontainer portion and second and third container portions that aregenerally orthogonal to the length of the first container portion.

According to yet another representative embodiment, an apparatus fortransporting a fluid includes a land-driven vehicle having a drivercompartment and a forward end. The apparatus also includes at least onefluid container for holding a fluid. The fluid container is configuredto be carried by the vehicle with at least a portion of the fluidcontainer being supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle.

In another representative embodiment, a method is provided fortransporting a liquid with a loader. The method includes introducing theliquid into a container that is releasably mountable to a loader. Themethod further includes mounting the container on a loader, anddischarging, under pressure, the liquid from the container.

According to another representative embodiment, a method is provided fortransporting a liquid with a land-driven vehicle having a drivercompartment and a forward end. The method includes introducing theliquid into a container, and carrying the container on the vehicle suchthat a portion of the container is supported in front of the forward endof the vehicle.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of severalembodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional use for aloader.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fluid-transportingdevice, which is shown mounted on a loader.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the fluid-transporting device andloader of FIG. 2, as viewed from the opposite side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 2,shown removed from the loader and without the pump and spray nozzles.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the fluid-transporting device shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG.4.

FIG. 8A is a back elevation view of the fluid-transporting device ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the rear wall of theforward-container portion of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a fluid-transporting device shownmounted on a loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one ormore than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “includes” means “comprises.”

As used herein, a group of individual members stated in the alternativeincludes embodiments relating to a single member of the group orcombinations of multiple members. For example, the term “a, b, or c,”includes embodiments relating to “a,” “b,” “c,” “a and b,” “a and c,” “band c,” and “a, b, and c.”

FIG. 1 shows a loader 6 and a dumping hopper 8 connected to the loader 6being used in a conventional manner to transfer earth at a constructionsite. According to one aspect of my invention, an apparatus is providedfor transporting liquids or other fluids with a land-driven vehicle,such as the loader 6 shown in FIG. 1. For ease of description, theembodiments disclosed herein are described with reference to a loader.However, the embodiments disclosed herein can also be adapted for usewith other types of land-driven vehicles.

Loaders, such as loader 6 of FIG. 1, can have various constructions, butusually are equipped with first and second movable support arms 10 and12 (FIG. 1), respectively, for supporting and/or manipulating variousattachments or tools, such as the dumping hopper 8. Movement of supportarms 10, 12 typically is controlled by hydraulic cylinders 13. Withoutlimitation, some examples of such loaders include all-wheel steerloaders, skid-steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and track loaders.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a fluid-transporting device14 according to one embodiment of my invention, mounted on the loader 6.FIGS. 4-8 show the fluid-transporting device 14 removed from the loader6. The fluid-transporting device 14 in the illustrated embodimentcomprises a generally U-shaped fluid container, or tank, 16 (as bestshown in FIG. 6). The illustrated container 16 generally comprises aforward-container portion 18 and first and second side-containerportions 20 and 22, respectively, positioned aft of theforward-container portion 18. As best shown in FIG. 6, theside-container portions 20, 22 are generally orthogonal to the length ofthe forward-container portion 18.

The fluid container 16 desirably is configured to be mountable to andcompletely removable from the loader 6 to permit the loader to bealternatively used for transporting fluids in the container 16 and forperforming various other tasks with conventional attachments. Althoughthe capacity of the container 16 can vary, the container 16 in oneembodiment has a capacity of about 470 gallons. In other embodiments,the container 16 can have a smaller or greater capacity.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the fluid container 16 is mounted on theloader 6, the forward-container portion 18 is supported in front of theforward end of the loader 6 and the side-container portions 20, 22 aresupported adjacent respective sides of the loader 6. The illustratedfluid container 16 desirably is configured to be carried by the loader6; that is, the weight of the fluid container 16 (and any fluidcontained therein) is born by the loader 6, without the use of wheels ortracks mounted on the container 16 to support its weight on the ground.However, in alternative embodiments, the container 16 is drawn, pushed,or otherwise transported by the loader, but wheels or tracks are mountedto the container 16 to support the container as it travels across theground.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the container 16 can include a mountingmember 24 secured to the rear wall 86 of the forward-container portion18. Mounted on the forward ends of support arms 10, 12 is a matingattachment mechanism (not shown) that is configured to securely matewith the mounting member 24 for supporting the container on the supportarms 10, 12. In particular embodiments, the mounting member 24 and thecorresponding attachment mechanism on the support arms 10, 12 cancomprise a Bob-Tach™ mounting system, available from Bobcat Company ofWest Fargo, N. Dak. Mechanisms other than the illustrated mountingmember also can be used to mount the container to the loader. Forexample, bolts, cables, clamps, and various other types of hardware canbe used to securely mount the container to the loader.

As shown in FIGS. 2-8A, braces 26 can be secured to the side-containerportions 20, 22 to assist in supporting the side-container portions onthe support arms 10, 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). As best shown in FIGS. 5 and8A, each brace 26 has a generally U-shaped bracket 27 configured to fitover a respective support arm 10, 12. Brackets 27 minimize lateral(i.e., side-to-side) movement of the side-container portions 20, 22relative to the support arms 10, 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pump 28 may be provided for dischargingliquid contained in the container 16. The pump 28 can be mounted to, orotherwise carried by, the container 16. Alternatively, the pump 28 canbe mounted on the loader 6. Although not required, the pump 28 desirablyis a power take-off type pump. For example, the pump 28 in a workingembodiment comprises a hydraulically-driven pump adapted for connectionto an existing hydraulic system of the loader 6. Alternatively, the pump28 can be operatively coupled to a drive shaft of the loader 6. In otherembodiments, other forms of drive mechanisms can be use to power thepump 28, such as a dedicated motor or engine.

In addition, in alternative embodiments, the pump 28 may comprise asubmersible pump disposed inside the container 16. In this alternativeembodiment, an inlet conduit to the pump 38 (described below) would beoptional.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the pump 28 has an inlet 30 and an outlet 32.The inlet 30 of the pump 28 is fluidly connected to an inlet conduit inthe form of an inlet pipe 34 that extends downwardly into theforward-container portion 18. Although not required, in the illustratedembodiment, the inlet 30 of pump 28 is connected to the outlet of athree-way valve 96, and the inlet pipe 34 is connected to one of theinlets of the three-way valve 96. The other inlet of the three-way valve96 can be connected to a suction hose when filling the container 16, asfurther described below. The inlet pipe 34 can comprise flexible orrigid piping. The lower, or inlet, end of the inlet pipe 34 extends to aposition just above the bottom surface of the forward-container portion18. Although not shown in the figures, a check valve or a back-flowpreventer may be coupled to the inlet end of the inlet pipe 34.

Fluid (e.g., water) in the container 16 can be pumped by the pump 28through an outlet conduit, which in the illustrated configurationcomprises a flexible hose or tube 36 coupled to a discharge manifold 38.As best shown in FIG. 3, the flexible hose 36 is coupled at one end tothe outlet 32 of the pump 28 and at its opposite end to the dischargemanifold 38. A shut-off valve 88 (e.g., a ball valve) can be used tocouple hose 36 to the discharge manifold 38. The discharge manifold 38desirably is mounted inside of the container 16 to avoid damage to thedischarge manifold, although in other embodiments, the dischargemanifold can be mounted to the exterior of the container 16. Thedischarge manifold 38 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a pipe 40(as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) that extends longitudinally between thesides of the forward-container portion 18. Plural outlet conduits 42extend from pipe 40 through the front wall of the forward-containerportion 18.

The outlet 32 of the pump 28 may be fluidly connected to anotherflexible hose 82 (or other type of fluid conduit) that is fluidlyconnected at its discharge end to an inlet port 84 (FIG. 4). A shut-offvalve 90 (FIG. 3) can be used to couple hose 82 to inlet port 84. Hose82 serves as a re-circulation line by re-circulating fluid back into thecontainer 16 when the fluid is not being discharged through outlets 42.A shut-off valve 92 can be positioned between the inlets of hoses 36 and82 to selectively divert fluid through the discharge manifold 38 or backinto the container 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the forward-container portion 18 is influid communication with the side-container portions 20, 22 so thatfluid contained in each side-container portion 20, 22 can flow into theforward-container portion 18 and be discharged through the pump 28. Inother embodiments, however, the forward-container 18 and theside-container portions 20, 22 can be fluidly disconnected from eachother so that fluid cannot flow therebetween. In the latter embodiment,each portion of the container 16 can be provided with a respective pumpto discharge fluid therefrom.

Various attachments can be coupled to outlet conduits 42 fordistributing the fluid contained in the container 16. As shown in FIGS.2 and 3, for example, one of the outlets 42 is fluidly connected to anelectrically-controlled water monitor 44 that is operable to producedifferent spray patterns of liquid discharged by the pump. The watermonitor 44 can be manually or electrically controlled by a user toselect a desired spray pattern. One example of a water monitor that canbe used is a model 8294-04 Scorpion® monitor available from ElkhartBrass Mfg. of Elkhart, Ind. A “duck bill” nozzle 46 can be coupled toanother outlet conduit 42 for producing a semi-circular spray pattern.Various other types of nozzles or spray equipment can be used in lieuof, or in addition to, the water monitor 44 and duck bill nozzle 46. Anend cap 48 can be placed on any outlet conduit 42 that are not beingused. The fluid outlets 42 can include valves 94 to control the flow ofliquid to their respective attachments.

In one implementation, the container 16 can be filled with water from afire hydrant or other public water supply. To prevent the backflow ofcontaminants from the container 16 into the public water supply, one ormore inlet-fill pipes 50 can be mounted to the outside of the container16. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, an inlet-fill pipe 50 ismounted to the aft end of each side-container portion 20, 22. Eachinlet-fill pipe 50 has an inlet 52 (FIGS. 6 and 7) and an outlet 54(FIGS. 2-7) positioned to direct liquid downwardly through a respectivefill port 56 of a respective side-container portion 20, 22. The inlet 52of each inlet-fill pipe 50 can be configured to be connectable to aliquid-supply line (not shown) (e.g., a water hose) for supplying liquidto the container 16. Since each outlet 54 is spaced from its respectivefill port 56, backflow of contaminants from the container 16 to theliquid-supply line can be avoided. In other embodiments, a liquid-supplyhose can be connected directly to an inlet port of the container 16 tointroduce liquid therein.

Device 14 in the illustrated embodiment is also “self-loading”; that is,the pump 28 can be used to draw fluid into the container 16 from anon-pressurized source of fluid, such as a lake or river when fillingthe container 16 with water. To fill the container 16 using pump 28, asuction hose (or other fluid conduit) is connected to the availableinlet of the three-way valve 96, the valve 96 is activated so that thesuction hose is fluidly connected to the inlet 30 of the pump and theinlet pipe 34 is fluidly disconnected from the inlet 30, and valve 92 isactivated so that hose 82 is fluidly connected to the outlet 32 of pump28. The free end of the suction hose is placed in a source of fluid(e.g., a lake), and the pump is activated to cause fluid to be drawnthrough the suction hose and discharged through hose 82 and into thecontainer 16.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, a drain port 78 can be provided in theforward-container portion 18 to drain liquid from the container 16. Aremovable plug, or cap, 80 (FIG. 3) can be used to seal the drain port78 and retain liquid in the container.

As shown in FIG. 5, one or more internal gussets 62 a and 62 b can bewelded inside the forward-container portion 18 to provide structuralreinforcement to the walls of the forward-container portion. Gussets 62a are welded to the rear wall and top wall of the forward-containerportion 18. Gussets 62 b are welded to the bottom wall and front wall ofthe forward-container portion 18. The forward-container portion can alsoinclude one or more internal baffles 58 to minimize sloshing of theliquid contained in the container 16 when the loader 6 is moving.Similarly, side-container portions 20, 22 can also include one or moreinternal baffles 60 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Baffles 58, 60 also serve as bracesfor providing additional structural reinforcement to the container 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, one or more foot-holds 64 can be formedin the side of the container 16 to permit a driver to ascend thecontainer 16 to gain access into the driver compartment 7 (FIG. 2) ofthe loader 6. A handle 66 can be conveniently positioned onside-container portion 20 to assist the driver in ascending thecontainer 16. In alternative embodiments, stairs or steps can be securedto the outside of the container 16.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, removable legs, or supports, 70 can beused to support the container 16 in an upright position when it isremoved from the loader 6. Each leg 70 in the illustrated configurationcomprises a vertical support 72 and a horizontal support 74. Thehorizontal support 74 of each leg 70 is inserted into a respectivebracket 76 secured to the aft end of one of the side-container portions20, 22. A bolt (not shown) or similar fastener can be used to releasablyretain each horizontal support 74 to its respective bracket 76. Whilethe illustrated embodiment includes legs that are removable, inalternative embodiments the legs can be permanently connected to thecontainer 16. In one embodiment, for example, a leg can be coupled tothe aft end of each side-container portion 20, 22 with a respectivehinge. In this alternative embodiment, when the container is mounted onthe loader, the legs can be folded or pivoted upwardly against theside-container portions 20, 22. When the container is removed from theloader, the legs can be pivoted downwardly to support the container inan upright position.

The fluid-transporting device 14 can include other features not shown inthe drawings. For example, one or more mirrors can be mounted atconvenient positions on the device to increase the field of view of adriver. In one embodiment, a mirror is mounted at each end of theforward-container portion 18 and positioned to enable a driver to seethe area on each side of the loader 6. In addition, a non-skid surfacematerial (e.g., non-skid paint) can be added to the foot-holds 64 and/orthe top surfaces of the container 16 to minimize slipping when accessingor leaving the driver compartment 7.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a fluid-transporting device 100according to another embodiment of my invention, mounted on a loader 6.The fluid-transporting device 100 comprises a forward container, ortank, 102 and separate side containers 104 and 106 that are fluidlyconnectable to the forward tank 102 via respective fluid conduits 108(e.g., flexible hoses). The forward container 102 can have a mountingmember 24 (not shown in FIG. 9) for mounting to an attachment mechanismon the support arms 10, 12 of the loader 6, such as the embodiment shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B. Each side container 104, 106 in the illustratedconfiguration has a bracket 26 for mounting the side containers torespective support arms 10, 12 of the loader 6.

As shown in FIG. 9, a pump 28 can be mounted to the forward container102 for discharging liquid contained in the forward container 102 andside containers 104, 106. In other embodiments, a separate pump canmounted on each container 102, 104, and 106 for selectively dischargingliquid from each container. In addition, valves or other flow-controldevices can be used to control the flow of liquid from each sidecontainer 104, 106 to the forward container 102. For example, a manualor electric shut-off valve can be positioned in-line with each fluidconduit 108.

The embodiments described herein can be used for transporting and/ordistributing a fluid in various applications. An exemplary use of theembodiments described herein is fire control. In particular, thedisclosed apparatuses are especially suited for transporting water tofires in remote locations not served by fire hydrants and fortransporting water to locations requiring travel over rough terrain.Other uses include spraying water on a road surface to clear debristherefrom, spraying water on a dirt surface at a construction site tominimize dust creation, and hauling water to a remote site where wateris not readily available.

The present invention has been shown in the described embodiments forillustrative purposes only. The present invention may be subject to manymodifications and changes without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. I therefore claim as my invention all suchmodifications as come within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. A fluid-transporting device for a land-driven vehicle having a drivercompartment and a forward end, the fluid-transporting device comprisingat least one container for holding a fluid and configured to be carriedby the vehicle such that at least a portion of the at least onecontainer is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle, theat least one container having a mounting member configured to mount thecontainer to the vehicle and to allow the container to be completelyremoved from the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a loader havingfirst and second movable support arms mounted on opposing sides thereof,and the at least one container is configured to be simultaneouslymounted on both of the support arms.
 2. The fluid-transporting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one container comprises aforward-container portion and first and second side-container portionspositioned rearward of the forward-container portion, wherein when theat least one container is mounted on the vehicle, the forward-containerportion is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle and theside-container portions are supported adjacent respective sides of thevehicle.
 3. The fluid-transporting device according to claim 2, whereinthe at least one container is generally U-shaped.
 4. Thefluid-transporting device of claim 2, wherein the first and secondside-container portions are integral with the forward-container portion.5. The fluid-transporting device of claim 2, wherein the first andsecond side-container portions and the forward-container portions eachcomprise a separate container.
 6. The fluid-transporting device of claim5, wherein the first side-container portion is fluidly connectable tothe forward-container portion by a first fluid conduit and the secondside-container portion is fluidly connectable to the forward-containerportion by a second fluid conduit.
 7. The fluid-transporting device ofclaim 1, wherein: the container has a rear wall; and the mounting memberis mounted on the rear wall of the container.
 8. The fluid-transportingdevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one container comprises aforward-container portion and first and second side-container portionsintegral with and extending rearward of the forward-container portion,each of the side-container portions being mountable to a respectivesupport arm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each side-containerportion has a bracket configured to engage one of said support arms,thereby minimizing lateral movement of the side-container portionsrelative to the support arms.
 10. The fluid-transporting device of claim1, further comprising a pump for discharging liquid contained in thecontainer.
 11. The fluid-transporting device of claim 10, furthercomprising a discharge conduit having a first end in fluid communicationwith an outlet of the pump and a second end positioned to dischargeliquid from the container.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thedischarge conduit has a portion that extends at least partially insidethe container.
 13. The fluid-transporting device of claim 10, furthercomprising a water monitor in fluid communication with the pump, thewater monitor being operable to spray water discharged by the pump inone of a plurality of different spray patterns.
 14. Thefluid-transporting device of claim 10, further comprising a spray nozzlein fluid communication with the pump for spraying fluid discharged bythe pump.
 15. The fluid-transporting device of claim 1, wherein thecontainer has a fluid capacity of at least about 400 gallons.
 16. Anapparatus for transporting a fluid, comprising: a land-driven vehiclehaving a driver compartment and a forward end, wherein the vehiclecomprises a loader having first and second movable support arms; and atleast one fluid container for holding a fluid and configured to be andcarried directly on the support arms of the loader such thatsubstantially all of the weight of container and fluid is borne by theloader.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one fluidcontainer comprises a forward-container portion and first and secondside-container portions positioned proximate respective ends of theforward-container portion and extending rearwardly from theforward-container portion, wherein when the at least one container iscarried by the loader, the forward-container portion is supported infront of the forward end of the loader and the side-container portionsare supported adjacent respective sides of the loader.
 18. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the at least one fluid container comprises a rearwall and a mounting mechanism mounted on the rear wall, the mountingmechanism being adapted to mount the at least one fluid container to thesupport arms.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at leastone inlet-fill conduit for introducing a liquid into the container, theinlet-fill conduit having an inlet and an outlet and being mounted tothe outside of the container, the outlet of the inlet-fill conduit beingvertically spaced from an inlet port of the container.
 20. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the container is configured to be releasablymounted on the loader so that the container can be easily removed fromthe loader.
 21. An apparatus for transporting a fluid, comprising: aland-driven vehicle having a driver compartment and a forward end; andat least one fluid container for holding a fluid and configured to becarried simultaneously by two support arms of the vehicle, wherein whenthe fluid container is carried by the vehicle, at least a portion of theat least one fluid container is supported in front of the forward end ofthe vehicle; wherein the vehicle is a loader; wherein the containerincludes one or more foot-holds to enable a driver to ascend thecontainer to access the driver compartment of the loader.
 22. Afluid-transporting apparatus for a loader having a driver compartment, aforward end, and movable support arms, the apparatus comprising: a fluidcontainer for holding a fluid and being configured to be mountable toand completely removable from the loader, the container comprising aforward-container portion and first and second side-container portionsextending rearwardly from respective ends of the forward-containerportion, the side-container portions being generally disposed atelevated positions relative to the forward-container portion, whereinwhen the container is mounted on the loader, the forward-containerportion is supported in front of the forward end of the loader and theside-container portions are supported adjacent respective sides of theloader; a pump carried by the container and being configured todischarge fluid contained in the container, the pump having an inlet andan outlet; a discharge conduit having a first end in fluid communicationwith the outlet of the pump and a second end, the discharge conduitextending at least partially inside the container; a spray nozzlefluidly connectable to the second end of the discharge conduit andconfigured to discharge a spray of fluid therefrom; one or more supportlegs configured to support the container in an upright position when thecontainer is not mounted to the vehicle; one or more foot-holds formedin the container to enable a driver to ascend the container to accessthe driver compartment of the loader; and at least one inlet-fillconduit for introducing the fluid into the container, the inlet-fillconduit being mounted to the outside of the container.